🔗 Share this article

Individuals who experienced sexual abuse by Catholic clergy have voiced renewed hope after their initial encounter with Pope Leo at the Holy See.

The board president, heading the anti-abuse organization, commented that the Pope's decision to engage with them so early in his leadership sent a strong message about his commitment to addressing the problem.

Global Strict Policy Advocated

The organization is pushing for a worldwide strict approach that would defrock any clergy member who confesses to or is proven of sexually abusing a minor. This policy has been implemented in the US.

The Pope recognized that there is "resistance in certain regions of the globe" to this initiative, according to Hickey.

"Everyone was practical when we acknowledged that there is pushback," they stated.

Inherited Challenge

The current pontiff, who assumed the role in May, has inherited this persistent issue that has haunted the Catholic Church for decades.

Previous efforts to address the situation included an historic meeting on child abuse within the Church and revisions to canon law to clearly outlaw sexual abuse.

Deeply Felt Link

For the representative, who prefers they/them pronouns, the campaign for global implementation of the policy is personal. The Canadian activist shared they were abused by a clergy member who was subsequently moved between various churches.

"Hopefully this will establish the direction for his papacy, because we want to collaborate with him," Hickey stated. "We have the common objective, we want to eliminate abuse by religious officials."

Significant Meeting

Seven members of the organization, which represents victims and supporters from more than 30 nations, met with the Pontiff in his official residence.

The discussion, originally scheduled for a brief period, lasted to a full hour, during which the religious leader "mostly listened to us," according to the representative.

The Pope was characterized as "very understanding" when hearing the story of a female survivor abused at a Catholic residential school for native youth in North America.

They added the Pope was "compassionate" about their personal experience and seemed "modest, funny, and approachable."

"Survivors have long wanted a seat at the table and I didn't feel like he was making empty promises," Hickey stated. "I believed like he was genuine, realistic, and receptive and keen to collaborate with us."

Church Regulations Changes

The organization is advocating that revisions to church regulations will enable the implementation of the strict approach globally.

They have consulted experts and compiled materials that they plan to present to Pope Leo.

"He appeared interested in looking at it," Hickey noted.

Responsibility Highlighted

A recently released church-ordered document highlighted the "importance of a streamlined protocol for the stepping down and/or dismissal of Church leaders or staff in cases of abuse or failure to act."

The document also pointed out that victims repeatedly stressed the "urgent need for church leaders and senior officials to be held accountable for inaction and cover-up."

Moving Forward

Hickey shared they told the Pope at the beginning of their meeting: "This represents as much a risk for him to engage in a conversation as it was for us."

After the meeting, Hickey expressed optimism for progress.

"We realise it's not something that's going to be resolved quickly, but at the end of the day, uniting and building a relationship and continuing to build that bond is a step in the right direction," Hickey stated.

Hickey concluded that they told with the pontiff: "Even though it's a difficult period, I feel like we can change how the narrative ends - he valued that."